If several cacti thrive in a pot, over time there will be an urgent shortage. So that the plants do not damage each other with their thorns, separating them solves the problem. That sounds easier than it is, because sometimes the roots are closely intertwined. Read here how to successfully divide your cacti.
Spring is the best time to separate cacti
Divorce date is in the spring
Since separation is a high stress burden for cacti, the best time to take action is one day at the end of hibernation. If possible, do not share flowering cacti, as the thorny beauties could react by dropping the flowers.
This is how you share cacti in an exemplary manner
If the affected cacti are in purely mineral cactus soil, the separation should run smoothly. It is more difficult if the substrate contains a high percentage of peat. Peat tends to compact and pack tightly around the roots. It is therefore not enough to simply pull the plants apart if the roots are to survive the procedure undamaged. How to do it right:
- Pull the cacti out of the pot together
- Place on an airy trellis for a few days to allow the soil to dry
- Shake off the now dust-dry substrate or remove it with a wooden stick
- Then divide the cacti using tongs
Are the root strands so tightly intertwined that the plants cannot be separated by simply pulling? Then shower the root ball with soft water until you have a clear view of the mesh. If you divide the cacti now, only a few roots will be damaged, which will grow back quickly if you take good care of them.
Let it rest first - then pot it up
After this effort, the cacti are allowed to regenerate in a warm, shady place for a few days. Only then do you plant the succulents in individual pots or a larger, common pot.
tips
The sharp thorns of many species of cacti should be respected. Although the plants are not poisonous, serious infections can develop from skin injuries. Therefore, wear thorn-resistant gloves when dividing, pruning, or tending to cacti. Please disinfect even small scratches carefully with iodine ointment.